Playwright Carlo Goldoni’s comedic masterpiece “The Servant of Two Masters” is a merit to his other work. With the help of Bell Shakespeare Productions, Goldoni’s masterpiece has been transformed into the modern, laid back, totally wacky and entertaining drama that screams out Commedia Dell’arte.

The style, Commedia dell'arte, means unwritten or improvised drama, and refers rather to the manner of performance, than to the subject matter of the play. “The Servant of Two Masters” has, through the effective transition of the elements of drama, directing techniques and staging techniques, provided a respite of new comedic drama.

Carlo Goldoni’s play “The Servant of Two Masters” adapted by Bell Shakespeare Productions was an entertaining, hysterical piece of theatre that kept the audience in stitches. From Creek comedy down to the latest musical, from the lusting old satyr besmeared with grape to the riskiest of our stand-up comics, there is a vital and exuberant tradition that “The Servant of Two Masters” captures with ease. It is a must see and a must love.

The costumes, like the stage design and setting were altered to suit the modern era. They were brightly coloured; skin tight and produced some authenticity of the original form of Commedia Dell’Arte. Pantalone’s costuming for example is still representative of Commedia’s Italian origins; with the tight pants, walking stick and big nose, but modern and bright colours. Pantalone, played by Tony Taylor, transcends his character to the modern day period of theatre successfully. Although he didn’t wear the traditional mask, his makeup, fake hair and other facial features, not to mention his costume, provided the step up from the characters traditional ways.

Traditional Commedia was performed on the streets of Italy and the audience would be the passers by. The new rendition of “The Servant of Two Masters” still has the setting as being representational of original Commedia Dell’arte, and it is a substantial redefinition of the original form for many reasons. It is performed in a theatre on stage to provide a more modern and formal atmospheric feel to the play; the characters sitting side stage, still visible, watching the performance of others portrays the idea of the original street theatre; and a simple

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